‘Entirely right for police to investigate allegations of dishonesty in Awema’

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have welcomed reports that the police are investigating allegations of dishonesty among staff at the race relations charity Awema (All Wales Ethnic Minority Association).

Peter Black, Shadow Minister for Heritage, commented:

"The Investigation Report on funding for Awema was highly critical of the charity's cavalier attitude towards public funds. It is entirely right that the Police are to investigate the strong allegations of dishonesty that the charity has been accused of.

"Awema's financial conduct was raised with the Welsh Labour Government in 2002, 2004 and 2007. Despite this, the charity continued to secure funding commitments for projects worth more than £8 million. The Welsh Liberal Democrats are calling for the Welsh Government to detail why it failed to act despite repeated warnings of financial and managerial malpractice. So far, it has avoided taking any sort of responsibility for its evident failings to do so."